Discover the Benefits of Spending Time in Nature — Right Here in Wells Branch!
We’re lucky to live in a community with beautiful parks, shady trees, peaceful creeks, pollinator gardens, and plenty of birds and wildlife. Whether you enjoy gardening, forest bathing, nature walks, or bird watching, spending time in nature has been shown to boost mental health and well-being.
Here are just a few ways nature can help:
- It eases stress and helps us bounce back from tough life events.
- It can reduce anxiety and support emotional balance.
- It even improves memory and helps people experiencing depression.
But let’s be honest—sometimes it’s hard to make time for a trip to the park. Between busy schedules, hot sidewalks, and wrangling kids into the car, it can feel like a lot.
That’s why creating a little slice of nature at home can be a game-changer. A backyard or front porch wildlife habitat makes it easy to connect with nature without the hassle. Imagine:
- Starting your day with coffee and birdsong.
- Exploring the world of rolly-polly bugs with your toddler.
- Unwinding in the evening while watching butterflies and breathing in the scent of blooming flowers.
Since we spend so much time at home, adding natural elements to our own spaces is one of the easiest and most effective ways to enjoy the benefits of nature.
Want to get started? The National Wildlife Federation offers great resources to help you create a certified wildlife habitat at home. Visit www.nwf.org/certify to learn more. Plus, by certifying your habitat, you’ll be helping Wells Branch reach its goal of becoming a certified Community Wildlife Habitat! If you’d like garden consultation, reach out to us at hello@wellsbranchwild.org.
Let’s bring nature closer to home—and feel better for it.
Wells Branch Is Going Wild! We’re excited to share that the Wells Branch Wild Conservancy is 75% of the way to our goal of certifying 200 wildlife habitats in our neighborhood! So far, 156 amazing neighbors have chosen to:
- Landscape with native plants
- Provide food, water, and shelter for local insects and wildlife
- Use sustainable practices in everyday living
Thank you for helping make Wells Branch a haven for nature!
Want to Join the Movement? If you haven’t certified your habitat yet and are curious about how to get started, come to one of our fall events to learn more!
Details & Events: wellsbranchwild.org
Follow us: @wellsbranchwild on Facebook & Instagram
Let’s keep the wild in Wells Branch!
Saturday, Sept 13 — Eastside Butterfly Garden (9–10 AM)
Topic: Butterflies
Speaker: Mike Quinn, VP of Austin Butterfly Forum
Learn about local butterflies, caterpillar host plants, and nectar plants.
Saturday, Oct 18 — WB Homestead (10 AM–2 PM)
Topic: Wildlife Habitat
Visit our table to explore how to create a wildlife-friendly space.
Saturday, Nov 1 — KF Park (Location TBD) (9 AM–12 PM)
Event: Keep Wells Branch Beautiful
Activities include trash pickup, invasive species removal, and a BioBlitz.
Saturday, Nov 8 — Mills Pond (9–10 AM)
Topic: Native Trees
Guide: Rebecca Benz
Enjoy a guided stroll and learn about native tree species.
Saturday, Dec 13 — WB Recreation Center (9–10 AM)
Topic: Native Landscapes
Speakers: Mason & Lindzay from Bad At It Landscaping
Q&A on designing and maintaining naturalized landscapes.